shopperbob Wrote:
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> A few posters called attention to this MSCs pay
> being slow. I well realize this could be a case of
> semantics, but, in my opinion, they aren't slow.
> They have always paid me as agreed through almost
> 200 assignments covering 7 yrs. and their fee
> terms are clearly stated .

I enjoy the assignments and the people at Service Sleuth (aka H.S. Brands) ... but their payment intervals have increased from two months in 4Q12 to three months so far this year. Their website reads, "Shops completed in March 2013 will be paid by June 5th." Since these were all out-of-pocket shops, I am less excited to pick up future work here.

But that's normal -- the end of the second month after the shop. They're always the last to pay out of every month. I don't mind waiting for the $12 so much but I don't like not being able to "close out" the month.

I've only done one shop for them and it was one of my first since moving to Hawaii... I was paid exactly in less than a month - pleasantly surprised.

I had to do an oil change far away in order to get good score...I needed it to apply for casino jobs. The company that runs those casinos are around the state so there are some near me, but the only other jobs they had (oil changes) are over 2 hours away. Sacrificed a day to open the doors of casino hee hee.

italiano, I did the exact same thing! I had to apply for lesser shop I would never have taken just to raise my default 5 (because I hadn't done any shops for them). I got one of the casino shops I was wanting so badly, and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! I will never sign up for one again. It pays really well, but it was a week worth of me having an upset stomach waiting to see what they were going to come back with again. I am a very detailed shopper and score a 10 on almost every shop I have ever completed. This shop is just way too much for one person to do in one shop. I do a casino for a different MSC, and it is awesome. They assign you three or four shops (example: cafe, valet, cashier, poker). You will only do one "main" shop of either slots, poker or black jack in one visit. Those are great and the reports are super easy. Judging from what I've ready, it will also be a long time before I get paid for this and it was quite a bit out of pocket.

sun&fun Wrote:
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> I like their vitamin store shop, but they haven't
> been offered in Tampa Bay for about a year. Anyone
> else geting them?


Mine hasn't been shopped in over a year either. I do get emails for other locations that are many many miles from me though.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2013 04:30PM by CAscotch.

>
> What is your strategy in doing a casino shop? Any
> advice?

My first piece of advice would be run like Hell the other direction! LOL

The biggest problem is that the guidelines are something like 29 pages long, and in several places it says in big, bold print, "DO NOT TAKE OUT NOTES IN PUBLIC, YOU WILL BE RECOGNIZED!" So, you're running to the bathroom every 10 minutes to look at your notes. I ended up having to have communications/reports with almost 30 people, it was very tedious.

I usually send myself text messages during shops with descriptions/notes, but I don't get any signal inside the building, so I was using my notes section of my phone. Like that wouldn't make you stand out if someone were looking for a mystery shopper, but what else are you going to do. Hang out by the bathroom and run in every minute to write another note?

Another suggestion would be don't go during a busy time. I would pick shift one, assuming it would be less crowded. I was there for several hours longer than expected because they were so busy I couldn't get any service. You have to sit there for 15 minutes before you can hunt them down. Do that several times with each one and the time really adds up. Also, they insist you can't lose more than $5 on one slot. I have to wait 15 minutes for a slot server (twice) and I can only spend $5? I was playing one penny at a time. Ridiculous.

You need to note every single piece of food you put on your plate at the buffet and rate how each one tasted.

You need to get every employees name, and I found over half of the badges to be turned around backwards, so I kept having to ask for their names. Dead give away, you think???

While it did pay very well, it's not the "fun" shop they make it out to be. I love to gamble and go several times a month, and thought it would be fun. It was anything but. The money isn't worth the stress and time for me. I'm sure there are others who love doing them. To each his own.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2013 04:30PM by CAscotch.

They are slow in pay but sure, as per terms of the agreement. Schedulers are reliable but a few picky new editors. They get better once they know you. I recommend this company. Too bad they don't have theatre checks in my area.

CAscotch Wrote:
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> Oh wow, thanks for that. Hmmm... What about table
> games? Do you have to note down each deal and each
> tip they receive?


You have to evaluate two different black jack dealers, as well as two different table waitresses. No, you don't have to log each hand, but they only allow you $20 to spend at each table, good luck getting a waitress and your drink before you lose $20! Almost impossible, then you have to sit there looking like an idiot waiting for the waitress and not playing. If they gave you enough money to play at each table and slot while waiting for your drink, this shop would have been less stressful.

Bearclaw, I do these all the time, and my reaction to the 1st one was exactly the same as yours! After enough time passed that I forgot the horror of it, I tried again and the second time was much easier. By the 3rd time, I was a pro. Now I do at least 2 of them a month, no problem. That particular shop has a huge learning curve, but once you get past it, it becomes a pretty easy way to make some money.

Now, my biggest pet peeve with them is the huge inconsistency in the editors. There are a couple of questions in that survey that aren't clear and different editors interpret the same question differently. I've politely brought this issue up to them before, I was basically told they haven't changed the survey in 5 years and they don't plan on changing it now. Nice.

Can anyone give me some clues about how to contact this company. I signed up with them a week ago in order to do one of their shops advertised on Kern scheduling. I was assigned the shop and did it even though I could find no general information at all on their site regarding how or what they would like in their reports and/or how to label receipts etc. A few days afterwards I got an email from someone named Brenda telling me my ssn did not match. I sent a reply to Brenda telling her I had re input my ssn.. My email was rejected. I cannot get anything on help as I do not have "permission." Today I looked at the site and see I have a score on my shop but my profile still says my ssn was rejected. I do not see a contact us or anywhere on the site other than in the body of the job I did where I can send the scheduler from Kern a question about the shop. I have contacted the Kern scheduler but am I missing something here? Is there some way to get in touch with this company and do they have a list of rules?

There is this message and email contact on their log-in page -- I would imagine this person could help straighten out your SS# issue:
*If you do not receive payment for your shops, please email: lisa.malkowski@hsbrands.com

Thanks 2 pizzas. I will send her an email. This is not a payment issue so I thought there must be some other general contact number or something.

They have quite a few offerings in my area every time I look. I have done 2 really great food places and a theater and they scored me well even after the theater one they needed clarification on one question. I can't comment on the pay yet (waiting) but so far I like them a lot.